Tools

The final video in the four-part Sonicglide series is here! Phew! Thank you for your patience. In this video, I show you the steps you can take to straighten your natural hair with this professional flat iron.

The Maxius Sonicglide is almost exactly the same as Maxius’ Maxiglide hair straightener. Like the Maxiglide, the Sonicglide uses steam to hydrate and straighten hair. Yes, just like ironing the wrinkles out of your clothes. Watch Part 2 in this series for details on how these two flat irons for natural hair stack up against each other.

In this video, I show how this flat iron works similar to the chase method in which a fine tooth comb is chased by a regular flat iron. I may have missed mentioning some additional tips, so I’ve listed them all below. They are:

*Comb out each section of hair before straightening it –before step 3 in the video. I skipped showing this part, since I wanted to focus more on using the iron for straightening, but I realize it’s important for you to know this. I don’t want you to rip the straightener through tangled, knotty hair! Please remember to comb out each section first before steaming out the “wrinkles.”
If you get a knot while gliding, pause, detangle your hair, then continue gliding.

Steam the length of your hair with the Sonicglide before gliding/straightening your hair without steam.

Glide (not tug) the iron straight through your hair on the first pass–without bending or flipping it. Do not clamp down too hard on the iron. The whole idea is to literally glide it through your hair, hence the name.

Adjust the heat to fit your hair texture. Don’t cook your tresses!

Use steam and clamp and unclamp the iron to aid in curling ends. I recommend turning down the temperature of the straightener while adding curls and flips.

Roll hair in satin lined rollers overnight to create curls and waves that lasts for days.
*You’ll get great results if you roll each section right after you use the Sonicglide to straighten and bump the ends.

In part 3 of this series, I prepped my hair for safe straightening by doing a braid-out. You can do the same, although some naturals prefer to blow dry their hair first. This is my least favorite method, as I don’t think my hair is as shiny and bouncy as it is with a braid-out. Also, this adds unnecessary direct heat to hair. As an alternative, you can prep your hair by doing a roller-set, which produces the best results.

In case you missed it, check out part 1, part 2, and part 3 of this series. You’ll discover how I stumbled across this straightener while I was originally in pursuit of the Maxiglide. No, I am not paid by the company to endorse this product. Just passing the good news along.

It has arrrriiiiived! Introducing part three of the four-part series on the Sonicglide! In this video, I show you how to do a braid-out–the perfect style for pre-straightening your hair. Braid-outs create a looser, wavier texture, so you don’t have to use as much heat to straightened tightly curly hair.

When I braid my hair, I air dry it overnight, so I can skip using a blow dryer. Once again, the less heat the better! Also, you should use a silicone-based product to seal in moisture and work as a heat protectant.

While braid-outs are great starters for using a Sonicglide, I get the best results when I roller-set my hair and dry it under a hooded dryer prior to straightening. Your hair will be looser than doing a braid-out and veerrry soft from the dryer. The end result after straightening is bouncy, flowy hair. If you’ve had a “Dominican roller-set” then you know what I’m referring to. I highly recommend this technique!

A braid-out is one of the simplest, classic styles for naturals. You can keep your hair in this ‘do or proceed to part 4 of this series (soon to come!).

Part 2 of the Sonicglide series is here! In this installment, I highlight the features of the Sonicglide and compare this steam straightener to the Maxiglide. In case you’ve never heard of either flat iron, there’s no need to worry. I’ll fill you in.

The Maxiglide is a hair straightener that uses steam to literally iron out curls. In my previous post on the Maxiglide, I discussed my success in using this iron. I also shared my inability to locate and purchase another model, disappointment with the newer models (pre-Sonicglide), and correspondence with Maxius Beauty, the company behind the Maxiglide. Last year, I was informed that a new model, the Sonicglide was on its way. Well, as you know, it has arrived.

In Part 2 of My Curly Mane’s four-part video series, you’ll see how closely the Sonicglide mirrors the Maxiglide. Originally, the Sonicglide was marketed as a vibrating iron … but I didn’t notice any vibrations. There also wasn’t any mention of this in the packaging or instruction manual. In fact, inquiring minds (my own and perhaps yours as well!) believe that this may be the same tool as the Maxiglide. Hmmm … I’ll delve further into this in the conclusion of this series. For now, tune into the second video.

I said that I was going to do it, and I did! I purchased a Sonicglide! I had to find out what this new installment from the team at Maxius was all about, discover how it compared to the original Maxiglide, and report back to you. In case you’re wondering where my hunt for a Sonicglide/Maxiglide came from, read my previous post. To give you the full low down, I broke up my video into a four-part installment:

Do you remember those infomercials with that clever straightener that claimed to steam as opposed to burning hair while straightening—without blow drying? Better yet, do you remember that those same infomercials featured a curlie with thiiiick, long natural hair, which was steamed straight right before our very eyes? Doesn’t ring a bell? Well, those incessant commercials were for the Maxiglide.

After watching them a million times, I was convinced to purchase a model from the Home Shopping Network (HSN). At first, I didn’t like how its pins (used to separate strands as you iron) snagged my hair and caused split ends, so I put it away and considered it a loss. I waited too long to return it and simply forgot about it. This was during my prime product junkism, and if something didn’t work on demand, I was on to the next!

That was until I re-discovered the Maxiglide a year later thanks to vlogger LeobodyC5 from YouTube. If you’ve seen LeobodyC5 aka big sister in my head, you’ll know that she has amazing, long, natural hair. Trust me. It’s good stuff! After seeing her results, I dug into my closet and dusted off the Maxiglide. I patiently and carefully ran the iron through my hair and loved the results.

The Maxiglide made my hair big, fluffy, and light. It had crazy body and easily produced waves and curls from taking down high buns or roller setting my hair overnight. Even in high humid weather, my hair would revert into bountiful curls. It was also easy to use, as I’d braid out my hair at night and straighten it in the morning. Roller sets prior to straightening always produced the best results.

Now here’s the problem. I used the Maxiglide on a weekly basis. Surprisingly, I was able to return to healthy natural curls, but I also got a lot of split ends. This led to regular trims and barely any length retention due to frequent cuts. All in all it’s a good straightener once you get the technique down and use it on occasion.

Model Drama

In my letter below, you’ll notice that I had a complaint about the changes in Maxiglide’s models. In the last four years or so, the company behind Maxiglide, Maxius Beauty, came out with a cheaper model—the Maxiglide Xpress—which began to replace the Maxiglide MP (smaller sized model) and Maxiglide XP (larger sized model that I preferred). While my XP was working, I wanted to have a backup model (MP or XP) to travel with. Unfortunately, all models are apparently sold out everywhere. It’s not even available on Maxius Beauty’s Website, so I contacted the company. Yeah, I did it! I rang the bell! … Okay, I gently knocked on the door. The conversation went (via email) as stated below.

Sent on April 19, 2012 (I was serious, but a bit silly. Can’t help it!):

Reply from Maxiglide Customer Service on April 20, 2012, following a previous email exchange with them. This response was after I clarified my situation further. Maxius Beauty informed me in their previous email (not included below) that they are launching a new straightener called the Sonicglide. Personal details/name of a company contact was removed for privacy.:

The Low down

I was supposed to track down a copy of my receipt from the HSN (where I once ordered my models from). However, I never got around to doing so, so I can’t complain. I am eagerly awaiting the launch of the Sonicglide. It was supposed to make its debut at the end of May, but it’s nowhere to be found.

As I mentioned in my email, I’m just not completely convinced yet to purchase an InStyler. I’ve read reviews that have made me cautious. I’ve also eyeballed it a few times at Target but walked away from it … yes, I actually said no to purchasing a hair item!

While I patiently await the Sonicglide’s arrival (taps nails impatiently on the table), do you think I should stalk follow up with Maxius Beauty, or have I maxed out this discussion (and use of the word max—ha!)? Let me know your thoughts, and I’ll proceed as you wish.

If you’ve used the Maxiglide or InStyler, please let me know your experience. As you know, comments are always welcomed!

UPDATED (11-21-12): Ding! Ding! I received a message from Masood Max, the creator of the Maxiglide. Apparently, a limited amount of Maxiglides will be available for purchase through Maxius Beauty’s Website, starting Black Friday. Hopefully, the Maxiglide XP will be available. I give Max kudos for following up with us fans. Once again, let me know if you’re able to snag an XP and try it.

UPDATED (1-31-13): Gasp! The Sonicglide is here! You can purchase one at ShopNBC. Thank you, Pooneh, who informed us in the comments below. The only thing that surprises me is that The Sonicglide looks and works like the Maxiglide … except that it vibrates? Hmm … intrigued. I thought this would be a completely different model. What’s funny is that the new promotional video showcases the original hair model (from the older videos), who has a great curly mane. If anyone makes a purchase, please let me know. I may have to snag one for myself, ur, I mean my sister.

About a month ago, I embarked on my usual shopping trip to CVS, which included a mini hair haul–of course! Family-sized bottle of Hello Hydration—check! Latest hair accessory—check! However, this time I spotted the infamous Tangle Teezer. I’ve heard about this detangling brush/comb for a long while now but passed on trying it due to poor relations with the Denman Brush.

A little backstory: Years ago, I tried using the Denman D3 and the modified version of the Denman D3 (with rows removed), since many curlies were having great results. At first I fell in love with the way it clumped my hair, but I soon experienced A LOT of hair removal. Granted, my hair was still rehabbing and recovering from heat damage at the time. Still, it was too much hair loss for comfort.

After discussions at hair forums, I picked up the Denman D41, which has wider spaced bristles and is designed for afro textured hair. This worked much better, but I still lost a lot of hair, so I put it down. If you decide to try a Denman, I recommend the D41 or D31. For me, I’ll revisit this brush a little later.

No more teasing. Back to the Tangle Teezer! I stared at it, pondered what our relationship would amount to, gave it the side eye, and then … jumped in! This could either turn into a great love affair, or it can crash and burn. The only way to find out was to try. With curiosity holding onto this cat, I experimented for about two weeks and discovered five ways in which you can use the Tangle Teezer … or your Denman brush (both produced identical results on my curly mane). Oh, and as you may notice below, a little alliteration never hurt anyone!

1.Shed Shredder – Occasionally, my hair will have periods in which it will shed more than usual. This is accompanied by shed hair that catches my healthy strands, snags it, wrestles, produces knots … and has me in a fit! You too? Calm down curlie! While this requires gentle finger work and sometimes the assistance of scissors (sigh). Don’t rip those hairs out of your head!

Try This: Hop into the shower and apply a generous amount of conditioner to your hair. Detangle your hair with a wide tooth comb, beginning at the back of your head. I use a comb first because on its own, these bristles are a little rough on my delicate tresses. Your hair may be a little more gangsta and can stand up to all brushes on its own. The only way to find out is to experiment, as always.

When done, whip out the Tangle Teezer (try not to drop this little thing, like I do!) and detangle again. I advise that you gently work your way up your strands, as opposed to brushing your hair from the scalp downwards. This method will aid in removing shed hairs. Just remember to use lots of conditioner.

2.Scalp Survivor – I usually sleep on getting my nails done and focus on my hair instead, but I recently began exploring the wonderful world of gel nail polish. I like to preserve my polish to save money and the style. Hey, a gal’s gotta be thrifty! This is when I really like to use the Tangle Teezer instead of my nails to cleanse my scalp. Here’s what you can do. In the shower, as you’re applying shampoo (optional) and/or conditioner to your hair, take your brush and massage your scalp in circular motions. The Tangle Teezer will do the job of cleaning your scalp, without the assistance of nails. I know. I know. You’re supposed to use your fingertips to wash your scalp, but I haven’t quite weaned myself off of my nails!

3. Dope Detangler – As mentioned above, you can begin the detangling process by using a wide tooth comb first. For some curly girls with tighter textures, like my sister, these brushes work wonders on their own. The Tangle Teezer can tremendously help to simplify this process.

4. Curl Clumper – For some ladies, curls are optional. They prefer poofier, undefined styles. If you like this look, skip this tip. For curl seekers, the Tangle Teezer is your friend. This brush makes curls clump and pop. Unfortunately, it also makes my hair shrriiiink! You can combat this by stretching your hair, using a blow dryer.

5. Style Supporter – As you’re applying products onto your hair, use the Tangle Teezer to aid in the application and removal of excess product. This brush also smooths tresses, which is perfect when doing braid-outs or twist-outs. How so? The Tangle Teezer produces sleeker strands, which helps with manipulating and shaping your hair into styles.

As mentioned, the Tangle Teezer and/or Denman D41 Volumizing Brush don’t have to be used solely for brushing. They can come in handy in other ways. It just may take some play time before you find a technique that works for you.

Are you using a Tangle Teezer or Denman? How are you using it and what have been your results?